British Airways to make test flight

LONDON: British Airways plans a test flight to gauge the impact of the volcanic ash cloud on flight safety.

The airline says the Sunday night flight will leave London's Heathrow Airport before traveling over the Atlantic and then returning to a maintenance base in Wales to check for damage.

It is in advance of a videoconference set for Monday by European transport officials to discuss the crisis caused by the spreading ash cloud.

British officials said Sunday that UK airspace would be closed until at least 7 a.m. London time (2 a.m. EDT) Monday.

Most British airlines including budget carriers have canceled flights scheduled for Monday.

British transport officials say they are urgently trying to find safe paths that could allow some flights to resume.